ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 25 



and labor. In the same year, more than 3,500 specimens, of 

 1,707 species, were added by Dr. T. B. Wilson. Three hundred 

 and twenty-eight specimens of 111 species of Australian, New 

 Zealand, and South Sea Island shells were obtained, in ex- 

 change, from the "Australian Museum;" and 204 specimens of 

 105 species were received from Mr. McAndrew, of England, Dr. 

 Gould, of Boston, Mr. Thompson, of Belfast, Ireland, Mr. Wat- 

 son, of South Africa, and from other sources. 



In the year 1850, 107 species from various localities were 

 presented, principally by Mr. Ed. Verreaux, of Paris, Dr. Mc- 

 Cartee, of China, and Messrs. E. T. and Chas. W. Wilson. 



This collection contains about 25,000 specimens of about 8,000 

 species ; besides 48 species of cephalopods and other mollusks, and 

 7 species of ascidiae, in alcohol. 



Dr. Griffith was engaged in arranging this collection at the 

 time of his death. 



6. ENTOMOLOGY. 



The collection of insects is placed in a small room at the north- 

 east corner of the principal saloon. 



This department has received large contributions from Dr. 

 Hering, Mr. T. E. Peale, and the late Mr. Thomas Say, who 

 verbally bequeathed his entire collection to the Academy in the 

 year 1834. 



In the year 1837, the fine cabinet of coleopterous insects pre- 

 sented by Dr. McMurtrie and Dr. Pickering, was placed in the 

 hands of an experienced entomologist at a distance, to be re- 

 arranged and intercalated with the remaining specimens of Mr. 

 Say's cabinet, which had been previously confided to the care of 

 the same gentleman. After five years, the collections were 

 returned to the Academy, in March, 1842, but, unfortunately, in 

 such a state of ruin and dilapidation as to be almost useless. 



The destruction of the once fine collection of coleoptera and 

 lepidoptera, discouraged for a time those members who were par- 

 ticularly interested in the study of entomology ; but in the year 

 1843, a new method of preserving these animals was devised, 

 which, it is believed, has proved to be entirely successful ; and 

 not long after this date, a spirit of increased activity and energy 

 was infused into the Institution, by rich contributions made to 



